Occupational Therapist (Pediatric) - Utah State Hospital

FT / PT Status – Full-Time

Benefits Eligibility – This position is eligible for a full benefits package.

Salary – $37.34 - $44.82 Hourly Wage

Remote Work / In-Office – In-Office / On-Site

Recruiter – Sam Meltzer | smeltzer@utah.gov

Application Deadline – Open until Filled*

*This job posting may close at any time after the minimum advertising period of three (3) business days has passed, should a sufficient applicant pool be received. Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

Want to be part of an OT team that focuses on real-life functional skills and meaningful occupations?

The Utah State Hospital is seeking a dedicated Occupational Therapist (OT) to join our Pediatric team in Provo, Utah. Work with a diverse patient population (ages 6–18), helping them build independence and improve their quality of life. Bring your creativity and clinical reasoning to individual and group sessions that connect treatment to daily life.

New Graduates Welcome to Apply

Key Responsibilities

• Evaluate patient needs and provide individualized occupational therapy to improve participation and independence in activities of daily living (ADLs), instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), life skills, functional cognition, social skills, and sensory modulation.
• Plan and lead individual and group sessions as part of daily practice, using purposeful interventions tailored to each patient's interests, developmental needs, abilities, and treatment goals.
• Effectively document and communicate patient progress and response to treatment.
• Collaborate with other OT team members and an interdisciplinary care team of psychiatrists, medical doctors, nurses, social workers, and others to coordinate care and support carryover of skills into daily routines.

Qualifications

Minimum qualification: Certification through the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) and Utah licensure as an Occupational Therapist (or ability to obtain it).

Preferred qualifications:

• Ability to assess and treat physical, cognitive, sensory, or social limitations that affect participation in daily activities in a pediatric population.
• Experience with group interventions and evidence-supported practice.
• Effective communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills, initiative, and self-direction are essential for success in this role, including the ability to manage competing priorities, anticipate needs, and follow through on responsibilities.

About the Role

Use your clinical expertise to conduct assessments and design therapeutic interventions that address the functional barriers related to mental illness. Collaborating with the interdisciplinary team and fellow OT staff, you will provide individual and group interventions in the following areas:

• Life Skills, ADLs, and IADLs: Build independence in age-appropriate self-care and daily routines through meaningful activities.
• Functional Cognition: Help patients practice attention, initiation, sequencing, problem-solving, and task completion within meaningful activities.
• Social Skills and Emotional Regulation: Use shared activities to practice communication, cooperation, coping strategies, and navigating everyday interactions.
• Sensory Modulation: Help patients recognize sensory needs and use individualized strategies to support regulation and participation in daily activities.

Location – 1300 East Center Street, Provo, Utah, 84606, United States

Background Check Required – You must successfully pass a criminal history check.

Drug Test Required – Yes

Schedule Code – B - Competitive Career Service

Why You Should Join Our Team

In Utah, we believe hard work is important, but balance is essential. Finding work/life balance is a vital element to our culture. To find out more about WHY Utah, click here. Other benefits may include:

• Job Stability: Enjoy the security and reliability of employment within a well-established organization.
• Career Growth: Develop valuable skills and gain opportunities for leadership within a large organization.
• Meaningful Work: Contribute to an important service that benefits the community and supports organizational goals.
• Supportive Work Environment: Be part of a team that values cooperation, strong work ethics, and mutual support.

This is more than just a job; it is an opportunity to apply your specialized skills in a mission-driven environment. You will be a valued member of a team dedicated to supporting one of Utah's most important healthcare institutions. In addition to a competitive salary, the State of Utah provides a comprehensive benefits package to support you and your family.

Health Insurance

Multiple medical plan options, including a High-Deductible Health Plan with an associated Health Savings Account. Opt-out cash benefit available.

Dental & Vision

Multiple dental and vision plan options available.

Paid Leave

Accrue 4 hours of annual leave and 4 hours of sick leave per pay period, with accrual rates increasing with state longevity. 12 paid holidays per year.

Retirement

A generous 10% employer contribution to your Utah Retirement Systems (URS) account (Tier II). Options include a Pension/401(k) Hybrid Plan or a Defined Contribution Plan.

To review the full benefits summary and access a Total Compensation Calculator, please visit the main state benefits page here.

Additional Benefits

• Access to a UTA Bus Pass.
• Cafeteria on site with meals, snacks and drinks available for purchase.
• Access to the Utah State Hospital Disc Golf Course.
• Access to comfort rooms while on campus, as well as other mental wellness benefits.

Supplemental Information

Risks which require the use of special safety precautions and/or equipment, e.g., working around operating machines, working with contagious diseases or hazardous chemicals, etc.

Work requires physical exertion. May require the ability to stand; walk over rough surfaces; bend, crouch, stoop, stretch, reach, lift moderately heavy items (up to 50 lbs.) in a recurring manner and/or for long periods of time.

Utah State Hospital provides comprehensive violence prevention and deescalation training for all employees during orientation. Ongoing training is provided to prioritize staff and patient safety.

Division of Human Resource Management rules and Department of Health and Human Services policies regarding promotions and transfers apply to current employees.

The Utah State Hospital is a smoke free environment. Tobacco or E-cigarette use is NOT allowed on campus.

Utah State Hospital employees must pass both pre-employment and routine background checks.

Only applicants that meet minimum qualifications will be contacted.

Salary is dependent upon experience.

The Agency

The Utah State Hospital provides a safe and healing environment in which all people are treated with dignity and respect. It is our purpose to assist patients to reach their potential, through individualized treatment, with a high value being placed on meeting the needs of each patient in a humanistic, caring and professional manner.

For more detailed information about the Utah State Hospital, our treatment programs and philosophy, we invite you to browse our website.

EEO Statement

The State of Utah is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. For accommodations, please contact (801) 957-9390.